BPW International

Dear BPW,

As your read this edition of E-news there is much fanfare by BPW members around the world that are watching and listening to the video we released a few days ago where leading CEOs in South Africa express their commitment to advancing equality between men and women - the cornerstone of the seven Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). If you have not listen to this inspirational video, then I encourage you to do so.

The BPW WEPs event highlights the leadership potential of Toni Gomes, President of BPW Johannesburg, to strategically position BPW as bringing the voice of women to business. The successful BPW launch is one of our most triumphant to date. Having worked with the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), BPW Johannesburg have shown the wider BPW community what is possible when Empowered Women Lead Business.

Chief Executive Officers from various corporate businesses as well as state organs signed the CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles. Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, said the launching of the program is a step in the right direction as women advancement and empowerment is the responsibility of everybody including big businesses.

Over 400 corporate guests attended the Breakfast, including CEO’s of some of South Africa’s leading companies. Fifty nine CEO’s signed the CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles and companies have already started enrolling their senior female directors for the Women on Boards training - one of the programs that BPW Johannesburg and the dti will be working on.

The CEO’s of Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, MTN and the Estate Agencies Affairs Board have all contacted BPW Johannesburg for inclusion in 3 programs that were announced at the Breakfast. CEO’s who signed the CEO Statement of Support were asked to sign a banner unveiled by the Minister as an additional show of support and also to ensure photo opportunities for the media present.

The signing of the banner to signify the CEOs support of WEPs turned out to be a very successful part of the launch as CEO’s lined up to join the Minister on stage and show support of this initiative.

Thanks to the efforts of BPW Johannesburg the official number of CEO signatories is now over 200 worldwide!

What could you do to position BPW as a leader of the WEPs in your country or city? Why not make these the focus of your next event? If you would like to spearhead a WEPs event or consultation please contact the Presidents Office to learn how you can bring the voice of women to business.

Freda Miriklis
BPW International President